A TECHNICAL APPROACH TO TRACHEAL AND ESOPHAGEAL INJURIES

Twenty patients with acute trauma to the trachea and oesophagus were m anaged in the last 6 years with a new technique. There were 2 female a nd 18 male patients with an average age of 26 years. The approach is d irect, easy and reproducible. The oesophageal rents are approached thr ough the anterior and posterior tracheal lacerations without tracheal mobilisation. Muscle interposition was electively not used and cervica l wounds not drained. Wound dehiscence was not experienced.